Writing an editorial essay lets you share your viewpoint on or advocate for a particular cause with your audience. A great editorial article creates awareness on a matter and influences people’s positions on it. But how do you compose such an article?
This post shares valuable insights on how to write an editorial that impresses editors and influences readers. Keep reading to enhance your effectiveness and master how to write an editorial essay.
What Is an Editorial Paper?
Let’s start by answering the big question, “What is an editorial paper?” As the name suggests, an editorial article or paper expresses an editor’s stand on a matter and explains the issue at hand. However, it doesn’t mean that the editor exclusively expresses their thoughts. That’s why the writer must research the topic and include other people’s ideas on the subject.
A great editorial paper focuses on a given topic. The author must focus on why their target readers care about the topic and why some people might hold contrary views. That’s why understanding the two sides of a matter makes an editorial more interesting and acceptable to many audiences. You will also need to present readers with valid evidence that supports your opinions.
When your editorial addresses a problem, you must also present clear solutions. Tell your readers what should be done to address the situation. If necessary, speak to the relevant authorities that need to take appropriate measures to address particular situations. For instance, you can address the government or institutions that can midwife solutions.
How to Write an Editorial
The rise of social media has provided more people with a free platform to express their platforms. Consequently, people are no longer sure of what it takes to write editorials. However, it doesn’t mean that you can master how to write an editorial that impresses editors. This section shares insights to help you compose a great editorial that speaks to your constituents.
Choose an Attention-Grabbing Topic
Start your journey by selecting an interesting topic with current news value and serves a defined goal. At times, handling a controversial topic can attract people.
Research and Gather Facts
Next, gather the facts surrounding your topic before presenting it to your readers. You must research the facts so that your opinion isn’t based on your feelings. Use credible sources and collect the latest facts surrounding your topic.
Drafting the Editorial
Draft your paper to be short and clear, at least 600 to 800 words. Additionally, avoid using jargon.
- Introduction. Make its intro as attractive as possible. You can open it with relevant stats, a quote from a famous person your readers respect, or a thought-provoking question.
- Body. The body should address all the details surrounding your topic. It should follow the 5 W’s and H pattern (what, when, where, who, why, and how). This section should address opposition and provide evidence to support your stance. When addressing problems, propose valid and practical solutions.
- Conclusion. End your editorial with a strong, thought-provoking statement. Give your readers a sense of closure and completeness from this section.
Proofread and Edit
Polish your editorial by editing and proofing it for styling, grammar, and spelling perfection before submitting it.
Tips for Writing a Good Editorial
Do you want to master how to write an editorial article? Below are tips to help you up your editorial writing game.
- Be decisive. A great editorial takes a firm position on a matter. Whenever you mention a contrary position, you immediately show readers why it’s inaccurate and why readers should agree with your stand.
- Provide fresh ideas. Research your topic well to provide readers with fresh ideas. Whereas people have ideas on specific issues, adding a fresh angle to them makes your article more valuable.
- Offer solutions. If you address a problem, your article should provide possible solutions. Don’t just describe problems for which you can’t prescribe solutions.
- Focus on your interests. Whenever possible, select a topic you are passionate about to be better placed to address an issue you care about. Do you care about quality education? Then don’t write on maternal health.
Types of Editorials
It’s essential to understand the types of editorials before you write an editorial for a chosen publication. We have four types of editorials, categorized based on their tone and purpose. These categories are:
- Explaining and Interpreting: These editorials let editors explain how they handle sensitive and controversial topics.
- Criticizing: Such editorials focus on the problem rather than the solution. They criticize actions, decisions, or particular situations.
- Persuading: These editorials propose solutions and convince readers to take appropriate actions towards a matter.
- Praising: Such editorials show support for and commend notable actions by organizations or individuals.
How Do Publications Choose Editorials?
So, how do newspapers and other publications choose an editorial for students? Most major publications employ op-ed columnists to provide a given number of published editorials in a given year. Some college and high school newspapers have their own columnists who regularly provide editorial content. Most of these publications also solicit guest editorials from external sources. These editorials are like letters to editors but still receive a more generous word count.
The editors use their discretion to accept or reject some editorials. For instance, if they think an editorial touches a needlessly controversial subject or exposes the publication to legal implications, they reject it. In other cases, an editorial board may send the article to the writer to revise or streamline it before resubmitting it for publication.
Editorial Example
Whenever you are stuck on how to write an editorial,l examples will be of much help. This section contains an example regarding the educational system to inspire your writing.
A Critical Editorial Example: A Clarion Call to Reform a Flawed Education System
Our education system is flawed and outdated in many areas and needs urgent reforms. It has many outdated teaching methods that don’t fully engage students. For instance, rote learning stifles innovation and critical thinking, leaving learners ill-equipped when they enter the real world.
Class sizes are still too large, hindering personalized learner attention. Overworked instructors struggle to address student needs. The obsession with standardized testing emphasizes memorization over creative learning. Consequently, it stresses learners and undermines the joy of learning.
Further, the system is unequal. For example, wealthier districts receive more funding, while underprivileged schools lack basic resources. This inequality perpetuates a vicious cycle of disadvantage and limits opportunities for many underprivileged learners.
Thus, everyone must demand radical and immediate reforms. We must all demand innovative teaching methods, smaller class sizes, and equal funding to transform the education landscape. Let’s call for reforms and create an education system that empowers our children, into whose hands we’ll leave our nation.
Editorial Essay Topics
Mastering how to write an editorial paper requires you to choose appropriate topics. To help you do that, we have selected hot sample topics for editorial essay projects. Check them out to jumpstart your next assignment.
- The role of junk food in increasing obesity.
- Is PlayStation turning our children into zombies?
- The dark side of social media.
- Should governments legalize recreational marijuana?
- How does recycling promote a clean and healthy environment?
- The dark side of the selfie culture.
- Are e-cigarettes any safer than traditional ones?
Conclusion
There, you have everything you need to compose an editorial article that impresses readers and fetches good grades. We hope you will use all the valuable information this post shared on how to write an editorial to up your game.
